Fire and Ice

jane

     I glance at the clock as I enter my house: it reads 4:31, almost time to meet with Zeke at his house for his study session.

To cool the fire blazing my entire body I wash my face will cool water and right after my palms went right back to being sweaty.

Why am I so nervous?

I twist and turn in the mirror of the bathroom. What I had on wasn't special: ripped jeans and a graphic t-shirt, hair held in place by a hair tie I can feel about to snap, and the same rough 8th black converse with my camo bracelet that has probably left a ring around my wrist.

Would this be acceptable to wear?

As soon as that thought crosses my mind I laughed out loud like a madman. What am I even thinking— why do I even care? All we're going to do is study some boring earth science and that's it; last time I checked, earth science doesn't isn't made for dresses.

After shaking the silly thought out of my head, I walk down stairs slowly forcing myself not to be in a rush. To my luck, Alec's in the den with the T.V. on. He doesn't miss a beat when my feet hit the floor.

"Where are you going?"

"Studying with a friend," I answer.

"Really," he turns around interested now. "I thought Amanda was your only friend?"

"Don't make me sound like a loser." Even though, I had already made that clear on my own. "Bye!"

"Hold on a sec." He hops off the couch and walks up to the door looking down at me. "Who is it Jane?"

"My guy friend, Zeke."

"A boy?"

I roll my eyes. "Zeke is in fact a boys name, yes, and. . . ?"

". . . and nothing," Alec smirks. "Just be careful. Don't do anything I would do."

My face immediately heats up and Alec notices laughing like a hyena. I wack him the arm, hard.

"Don't be gross."

He only shrugs as if the blow to the arm didn't even phase him. "You never know, I'm the big brother I'm supposed to warn you about this kind of stuff. Boys only want one thing and that's—"

"Goodbye!" I say loudly enough and swing open the door walking out.

I do not want to hear the end of that sentence. To my surprise he opens the door and shouts after me with a laugh.

"That's right, I forgot my sister isn't into boys— or anyone. So I guess I won't have to worry! Anywho's have fun studying!" He sings the last part as if he doesn't take my intentions seriously.

I swing around for a comeback but be already shut the door. I huff out and try my best not to barf of the idea of what my brother was talking about.

Sometimes, Alec can be a real pain.

— — —

"Okay," Zeke say setting the book down, "lets take a break, I'm tired of science."

"Just for a bit," I stretch exhausted myself.

A moment of silence passes before Zeke clears his throat. "So, you still haven't talked to Amanda?"

"No," I say suddenly become ten times more tired then just a second ago. "I don't know what to say to her— in fact, I don't even know if I want to talk to her."

A lie.

"I can see it on time face you do. Why don't you?"

"I don't know," I answer truthfully. "Can we talk about something else?"